SPAIN AND HOME

 

 I arrived at Victoria Hostel around 9 pm that evening after catching my 4:50 flight out of Amsterdam and taking the train into Madrid on arrival.  My room and bill was ready.  I already paid for one night prior to leaving Spain in order to reserve the room for two nights.  Now they wanted me to pay for both nights.  I was not happy and didn't keep the receipt from the September 20th payment before I left.  We agreed to discuss it in the morning when the day cashier was there.

          I went out to a nice Japanese Restaurant around the corner from me for a healthy dinner.  I thought the prices were good so had some organic wine with a special house salad.  I already ordered some Ramen Noodles thinking the salad wouldn't fill me up. Oh, I forgot the Japanese Tapas served with wine.

I took photos along the way and the bartender noticed.  I think he thought I was a food reviewer so came over when he noticed I finished the salad and wine.  He introduced himself and took my plate away while returning with the Organic wine bottle to pour me my second requested glass of wine, while explaining the origin of the wine.  I felt very special and then another waiter delivered the Ramen Noodles.  

I took pictures of that too then after I finished my waiter offered dessert but instead I ordered Kabuki Sake Tonic or something like that.  I wanted to try a Japanese Cocktail.  The bartender returned to ask how I liked that and explained the ingredients.  

        Then the owner came over and introduced himself, explaining they just opened last month and he wanted to know if everything was OK and where I was from.  I told him and he replied he was used to be a car dealer for Nissan and worked with ABC Nissan in Scottsdale for quite a while when he lived in Orange County California. We chatted a while about him getting into the Restaurant business and my experiences.  I assured him I was not a reviewer but would return my last night. 

          The next morning I had a quick snack for breakfast, packed some more then headed for the Thyseen Museum for the afternoon.

 It turned out to be free that day so I enjoyed it even more and treated myself to a light Smoked Salmon sandwich and Cappuccino while I was there.

Terrace Restaurant

 It was only 5 pm when I returned to the room to freshen up so decided to have Happy Hour close by.   The Japanese Restaurant didn't open until 6:30 so I did a short tour of the URBAN Boutique Hotel next door then enjoyed Tapas and Wine and returned to finish packing before my last healthy meal.

Take a close look at this SCUBA Diver

The owner of Victoria Hostel was waiting to explain they never charged my card in advance for the one night before I left for Amsterdam.  They ran the card and that is the bill I signed the day I returned...not another bill...so I did still owe one night.  Misinterpretation of Spanglish.  I apologized and paid my last night.  When I returned to the Japanese Restaurant is was closed...maybe the chef didn't show? I got a great Burger and Shake at Steak and Shake, retired and checked out at 6 am.

 I took the subway to the airport and by the time I checked my bag and arrived at my gate is was only 8:30. I ran into two fellow Oaxacan's.  Han's from Holland and Pierre from France.  They own a lovely house in Oaxaca that they open for fund raising events from the library like catered Christmas Dinner's or House tours.  Pierre was having his published book transcribed into Spanish and came to make sure it was right before submission.  They had arrived in London a few weeks ago and had been in Spain for a while but were now returning to London.  We talked a bit...it was a pleasant.surprise for both of us. 
           I arrived in NYC around 11 am that same morning but my flight for  Phoenix didn't depart until around 4 pm.  I claimed my bag, went through customs then rechecked the bag to Phoenix and arrived at my gate around 1:30 pm.  I had the chills and shivers on and off since I left Amsterdam and could tell a bad cold was on it's way.  I arrived in Phoenix and after taking the shuttle was home at 9:30.  It had been 24 hours since I left my room at Hostel Victoria and I was wound up but managed 6 hours of sleep.  

TSA Searched My Bag Again....I've gotten over 6 of these...anyone else?...at least they left the hash.

          Started the car the next morning and went grocery shopping...home again.  That was almost 2 weeks ago and I'm still sick.  Hardly ever left the house after the first few days except to see the Doctor.  The weather has been beautiful and it is nice to be home again.

HOLLAND...LAST DAYS

     Well I celebrate my Birthday tonight and plan one more trip before my departure. 

Kind of like Uber Taxi

            Peter and Jeannette arranged a Taxi to take us to WINK , a really nice restaurant where they had reservations.  The owner welcomed us and sat us while taking our drink order. The place was very small, 32 seats, and very attractively decorated.  The owner and one assistant managed the dining room while the Chef was busy preparing and also helped serve the food. We never ordered anything...just told him how many courses we wanted and sat back while he explained each course as it arrived. WINKs Menu

Celery Root, Raspberry Coulis, and some other stuff.

Scallop with Tangerine Creme and something else.

Leeks,Arugula, and something else?

Chantilly Mushroom Puree...and something else but really good stuff.

Peter's Duck...and well you know.

Vanilla Panacotta with Carmel and Chocolate sauce...and...

Four different Dutch Cheeses with Homemade Mustard and Bread

Raspberry Tart with Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream and "Melba Sauce"

View from outside.

      It was outstanding very small portions with assorted complimentary flavors. It was the best meal I had ever had.  There were so many different ingredients I couldn't keep up with it nor can I explain exactly what I ate. We retired shortly after returning home. 

Chef leaving on her Bike

     That morning my Chocolate Brownie Cake was waiting with my coffee and a nice card, Dutch chocolates and a fine bottle of  Spanish Riojo greeted me.  Later that day, Sanna, Jeannette's daughter stopped in with a bottle of Italian Proscecci for me.  Bart, another old friend showed up to wish me a Happy Birthday.  That evening we ordered Italian food for a change.  It was excellent...but I forgot to take any photos.  

Smiling Sanna..her family is hosting a Kurdish Refugee from Syria

         My trip to Rotterdam was cancelled when Pim told me he was in Belgium and wouldn't return until next week.  I decided to stay close to home as the weather, thought sunny, was COLD and windy. I took the afternoon and attended an exhibition at the Hermitage Art Museum, a very nice building and gallery.

The exhibit was Catherine the Greatest.  A collection of Catherine the Great , the Russian Ruler during the 19th century.  A remarkable women with a lust for affection, she had 12 known lovers, not much by today's standards but still quite a number.  She arranged a coup and deposed her husband as ruler. 

     I stopped for some "Dutch Pea Soup" and Dutch Pancakes after.  It was not what the picture on the menu showed so I went to Mulligan's Irish Pub for a wee Pint to fill me up.  Brian , the young man I met the last time I was there, arrived and bought me a beer before I left.  We had a nice chat, then I caught the Tram back just as Peter and Jeannette were finishing their dinner. Tomorrow is a do nothing day then the next day I pack and the following day depart.

       Today I tried Islanda , a local restaurant that Jeannette had been recommending since I arrived and it was great for breakfast, Yogurt, Oatmeal, Dutch Pancakes, Eggs, fresh Juice, Latte, etc.  I picked up my laundry and packed then this evening Jeannette served great Chicken Curry on Rice with some Ben and Jerry Double Chocolate Ice Cream with Whipped cream...nice end to my last night.  I think I added even more pounds on this trip then I already had!

          I finished my packing this morning and visited Islanda again for breakfast. I will catch the bus or Tram, to the train station and head for the airport around 2 pm...gives me time to say goodbye and plenty of time to catch the plane to Madrid.  Good-Bye Amsterdam, Holland.